introduction to photovoltaics powerpoint
TRANSCRIPT
Energy from the Sun Workshop
Introduction to Photovoltaics
Electricity Basics• Electrical Current – how many
electrons• Voltage – how hard they’re pushed• Power – what they can accomplish• Circuit – where they can go• Series Circuit – one pathway only• Parallel Circuit – so many choices!
Parallel vs. Series CircuitsParallel circuits• maintain potential
(voltage is constant)
• Current is divided among components
• If one light goes out, the others stay lit
Series circuits• maintain electrical
flow (current is constant)
• Voltage is divided among components
• Easy to open circuit quickly
DC vs. ACDirect Current• “Battery power”• Electronics use• Requires
prohibitively high voltage to transmit over long distance
Alternating Current• EASY to generate• Can be
transformed in voltage
• Can be limited while keeping voltage high
• Can be transmitted over long distance without super-high voltage
Photovoltaics
PV Cell
Conversion Efficiency
PV Array Component
s
oPV CellsoModulesoArrays
PV System Components
Net Metering
Net Metering Participation
PV Array Fields
Source: Solarbuzz, a part of The NPD Group
• Clean• Sustainable• Free• Provide electricity to
remote places
Advantages of Solar Energy
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
• Less efficient and costly equipment
• Part Time• Reliability Depends On
Location• Environmental Impact of PV
Cell Production
Classroom Photovoltaics• Experiments help students
understand the conditions needed for optimal power production
• Focus of secondary-level solar curriculum
• Use digital multimeters
Using a Digital Multimeter
Indicates voltage from alternating current. Do not use.
DC Current Scale
DC Voltage Scale
Resistance Scale. Do not use.
For More InformationIf you have questions, we have answers:• www.need.org – our website• [email protected] – questions about
NEED• [email protected] – questions about
this workshop• 1-800-875-5029 – NEED main office
phone number